There’s a rare kind of alchemy in visiting the places where our favourite films and TV shows unfolded — an intangible energy that draws you in, inviting a walk in the footsteps of storytelling itself. Over the past decade, I’ve pursued such cinematic pilgrimages across the United States, traversing haunted hotels, windswept coastlines and ancient canyons. Here are ten unforgettable road trips that brought beloved stories to life.
1. Estes Park, Colorado — The Shining
The Stanley Hotel’s grand, ghostly halls remain an enduring muse for Stephen King’s classic tale of psychological suspense. Roaming its corridors, you can almost hear the echoes of Jack Torrance’s chilling descent, where history and horror entwine.
2. Mendocino, California — Murder, She Wrote
Nestled on the northern California coast, Mendocino perfectly channels the fictional Cabot Cove’s quaint charm and subtle mystery. Wandering its streets, I could also imagine Jessica Fletcher cycling by.
3. Genoa, Nevada — Misery
This unassuming town’s rugged character was the unsettling backdrop to Misery. Standing amidst its quiet streets, the story’s tension feels tangible, lending a thrilling edge to the journey. "I'm your number one fan.”
4. Lake Tahoe — A Place in the Sun
A serene retreat, Secret Cove’s crystalline waters and alpine stillness provided a contemplative pause, a natural setting steeped in the quiet drama of this timeless romance.
5. Cambria, California — Arachnophobia
Cambria’s fog-kissed coastline and misty mornings conjure an eerie mood, perfectly suited to this suspenseful thriller. Here, nature’s beauty meets a subtle frisson of unease.
6. Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods, California — Jurassic Park 2
Towering walls cloaked in moss and ferns rise forty feet above — a living, breathing prehistoric set. Walking Fern Canyon is a step back to the age of dinosaurs, immortalised on film.
7. Twede’s Café, Twin Peaks, Washington
At Twede’s Café, every detail — from the classic diner booths to the aroma of fresh coffee — evokes David Lynch’s surreal universe. A sip here is a sip of television history.
8. Astoria, Oregon — The Goonies
Astoria’s iconic house and nearby Cannon Beach brim with 1980s nostalgia. Recreating scenes from The Goonies felt like reclaiming a moment of childhood wonder.
9. Martha’s Vineyard — Jaws
From the stillness of the pond to the windswept dunes and lighthouse perched on the cliffs at Aquinnah, the island carries the quiet residue of cinematic suspense. You can still drive onto the Chappaquiddick Ferry, just as Chief Brody once did.
10. Moab, Utah — Thelma & Louise
Canyonlands’ dramatic cliffs offered a breathtaking vantage point for Thelma & Louise’s final, unforgettable leap. Here, raw nature and cinematic legend converge.